Taurus Raging 218 Bee or 22 Hornet?

[sniper2u00]

Looking for a new toy for close in varmints(the challenge). I have decided on the Taurus raging bull but what caliber.They discontinued these awhile back but my Dealer says he can still find them new.The 218 Bee is $50 cheaper at app.$500 the Hornet is $550.I Reload so the 218 bee sounds like the brass is better(heavier).The Hornet brass sounds like it is very thin and don't last long.But there is not much reload info for the 218 bee none for the pistol!!Anybody have one of these? Any thoughts appreciated!  Edd

[S.B.]

I wanted the same type of toy as you. I opted to take a S&W model 15 (LEO trade in) and fit a K22 cylinder and barrel. Then ream to .224 Harvey Kaychuck caliber. Very happy with this set up.

[SneakyPete]

I looked at one these over at Gander Mountain but I didn't know they discontinued them. I guess I should get one before they are gone.
Never having one, I would go with the Bee. The Hornet can be harder to load and like you say the brass usually doesn't reload many times before it splits. I think brass life would be better with the Bee. Plus, 218 Bee sounds cooler.   

[Camba]

I have a Taurus Tracker 218 Bee and I love it.  Actually, it is my second 218 Bee Tracker revolver.  With the first one, I developed some loads using WSP primers and the velocities were under 1500 fps and showing high pressure (crattered primers).  One day I got rid of it just to regret it a few hours later because I realize I was using small PISTOL primers instead of small RIFLE primers.  I decided to get anotherone and I did found one in gunsamerica over the internet and I got one that is very accurate.  I get velocities in the 1600 to 1900 fps using 45 gr Hornet Rem bullets (It has to be semipointed due to the cylinder length).  I have used up to the Speer 70 gr at 1200 fps but I prefer to stay away from too heavy of a bullet.

I would prefer to get at least 2000 fps or better but I have not found that combination yet.  Perhaps I need to go to a lower bullet grains.  I will also be trying cast bullets.  Anyone has done that with this type of gun?

Camba

[Dune]

Camba while I have neither I thought you should know cdnn has th 218 for 399. and the 22 h for 449. and they come with base and rings.   Dune

[Dune]

oops sorry not Camba, sniper the aboves for you my dealer orders from cdnn for what there price is plus 20.

[Camba]

Dune,

Thank you.  I think I will be OK for a while with the 218 Bee I have now.

Camba

[sniper2u00]

Thanks for the info! I ordered the 218 Bee Anyone have any reload data to share?

[Camba]

The load that I am using in my Taurus tracker 218 Bee is:

Bullet:  45 gr Remington JHP (Hornet bullet)
Powder:  Blue Dot, 8.0 gr
Primers:  Magtech small rifle primers (you can use your favorite primer here)
Cases:  Winchester
Velocity: 1790 fps
Borderline to a max load in my revolver
Accuracy:  1 to 1.5" groups at 30 yards open sight.

Start at a lower load (about 7.0 grains (1500 fps)) and work your load up.


Disclaimer:  The load above works in my Taurus Tracker 218 Bee, 6.5" bbl. but may work differently in someone elses gun.  be cautious and check for signs of pressures.

Camba.

[sniper2u00]

Thanks allot Camba! I'll save that to try when I get some 45 Gr. The first bullets I have to try are Sierra 40gr. Hornet.Have you tried any 40's

[Camba]

No, I have not tried the 40 gr bullets yet.  I will do that next after I finish my 45 gr supply.  You should be able to load the 40 gr using the load data I've sent.  Like always, start 10% low first.

Camba

[jcn59]

I've had a 6" Tracker Bee for a couple years.  The cases last forever unless you accidentally crunch one in the press.  I've gotten up to 2250 fps clocked with the 33 grain bullet & around 13 grains of H4227.  That caused the (sr) primers to extrude into the firing pin hole & lock up the cylinder.  They weren't accurate. Mil-spec sr primers weren't any better.

Best accuracy is with 40-45 gr. spitzers at about 1800 fps. Primers lock up the gun when you get near 2000 fps with these bullets.  Note that none of these loads are near max loads.  It especially likes the 45 grain XLC Barnes bullet.  VERY accurate.

Factory loads around 1450 fps.  Let me know what you're doing if you get 2000 fps with 40_ grain bullets, okay?

[Camba]

jcn59,

I had gone thru similar situations with my 218 Bee, 6.5" bbl. revolver.  The lowest bullet grains that I've used so far is 45gr Hornet bullet (.224).  One of the factory rounds I recently purchased, are the HSM (orange color box) 218 Bee, 50 gr bullet.  The velocities I've got with that is 1845 fps.  I disassembled one round and the powder weigh was 14.4 gr of a powder similar in look as the H110 but with a darker black color.  I am not familiar with the AA1680 powder so I could not say that's what it was.  The cartridges were also cleared from the cylinder without problems.  This leads me to believe that the winchester brass is somewhat weak.  Granted that I had been reloading them way too many times.  I only discard them when the break.  I would also like to reach the 2000 fps mark some day and I think the answer is in the cartridge strengh and a hard rifle primer.  I am working up some loads with H110.  I started with 45gr Rem, 9.0 gr H110, and WSP pistol primers.  Seems a little hot with the WSP but mild with the rifle magtech small rifle primer (MSR).  I love this revolver.  It is very accurate with some of the loads I have.  It's like having a .22 Mag rifle at hand but in a short package.

Camba
 

[sniper2u00]

I'll post velocity's I get out of the 40gr. but I probably won't take the chronograph back to the range until the spring. I'll just make up a few loads to try and find one that shoots good for now and get a little more creative in the warmer weather!Besides I'll be calling yotes on most calm days this winter I get free